A Look at Pride Festivals Around the Nation

Throughout the nation, LGBT Pride is abundant. There are days, weeks and sometimes months dedicated to celebrating. One theme occurs throughout the different states – parade. In every state that has gay pride celebrations, parades are always the biggest draw.

In New York City, there are events such as family movie night, a rally, rooftop parties, dance parties at the pier, and of course, the march. The annual march, known as the Parade, down Fifth Avenue passes by the site of the Stonewall Inn where the Stonewall riots launched the modern gay rights movement in 1969.

A week-long LGBT pride parade is held annually in Altanta, Georgia. Atlanta Pride was established in 1971 and is one of the oldest pride celebrations in the U.S. While most pride events take place during the month of June, Atlanta Pride takes place around National Coming Out Day in October. The festival is preceded by a variety of events that start in June around the anniversary of the Stonewall riots. Atlanta’s gay film festival, “Out on Film”, is held in conjunction with Atlanta Pride.

PrideFest 2014 in Knoxville, Tennessee (below) is an open celebration featuring music, entertainment and speakers focusing on the equality and inclusion of all. While the parade and festival are held on the same day in June, Knoxville PrideFest holds events, including Eat Out With Pride, from May through August.

Philadelphia organizes a “PrideDay” in June and “OutFest” in October. According to its mission statement, “coming out” marks the beginning of the gay self-realization process while “pride” marks its culmination. “PrideDay” attracts over 25,000 people each year with headlining entertainers like The Village People. “PrideDay” is preceded by a block party and annual dyke march.

This years theme for the San Francisco Pride Celebration and Parade is “Color Our World with Pride.” Marking its 44th anniversary, San Francisco holds the largest gathering of LGBT people and allies in the nation. The SF Pride is also a grant giving organization and since 1997, have granted nearly $2.3 million dollars back to the community from proceeds of the Pride celebrations.